The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) have collaboratively launched the NextGen web portal, an online global ecosystem of maritime transport decarbonisation initiatives.
The portal has been developed to bring public and private stakeholders involved in maritime decarbonisation projects such as ports, governments, companies and research institutes in order to recognise the gaps and opportunities for decarbonisation and share knowledge on low- and zero-carbon fuels for the international shipping industry.
“The single biggest challenge we face is the battle against global warming and climate change,” stated IMO Secretary-General, Kitack Lim, who believes the industry needs more collaborative action to speed up research into emissions-cutting technology and into zero- and low-carbon marine fuels.
In addition, the NextGen portal which was launched during the IMO-United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) event held from 27 to 29 September, will foster information-sharing, create critical networks and opportunities for collaboration and facilitate capacity-building by showcasing maritime decarbonisation projects on a single platform, in order to accelerate the maritime sector’s transition to a zero-and-low.
“We cannot tackle decarbonisation alone. We need to work together, across borders and value chain, to build capacity, share best practices and ensure a level playing field for all,” said Quah Ley Hoon, Chief Executive of MPA.
The Initial IMO greenhouse gas (GHG) Strategy which was adopted in 2018 has set ambitions to reduce GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008, and an updated strategy is about to be implemented by 2023.
The NextGen portal already encompasses over 140 projects spanning over 500 partners and 13 fuel types, while covered regions include Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East and the Pacific Islands.
